Travel isn't just a luxury—it's part of who we are! 🌍✨ At the recent tourism summit in Xi'an, over 400 industry delegates from the Chinese mainland and the United States gathered to chat about the future of travel between the two countries. We caught up with Adam Burke, president of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board and vice chairman of the World Tourism Alliance (WTA), to get the scoop on why exploring is in our DNA.
Building Bridges Through Travel 🛤️
\"Despite political challenges, tourism has always been the bridge,\" Burke shared. \"People-to-people and cultural exchanges have been the way to find common ground going back to the '70s.\"
The 14th China-US Tourism Leadership Summit wasn't just about agreements and memos—it's about understanding what's holding back recovery on both sides and how to move forward together. \"These dialogues are so important,\" Burke emphasized. \"We need to tackle the pain points and find solutions.\"
Travel: An Essential Part of Life 🌟
Forget seeing travel as just a fun extra—Burke notes that it's become essential. \"Before the pandemic, travel was often viewed as a discretionary purchase. Now, most consumers see it as an essential part of life,\" he explained. \"We're hard-wired to explore the world around us.\"
He even pointed out that studies have shown not being able to travel can lead to feelings of depression. \"There's something deeply embedded in our humanity about the need to travel,\" Burke said. Feels, right?
The Power of Tourism to Change the World 🌐
As vice chairman of the WTA, Burke is passionate about how tourism can elevate communities. \"Our member organizations are doing amazing work in poverty alleviation, sustainability, and climate change,\" he shared. \"Using tourism to improve quality of life is a privilege.\"
With a sister city relationship between Los Angeles and Guangzhou spanning over 60 years and Chinese Americans settling in LA since the 1850s, there's a rich history connecting the two cultures. \"We've been through challenging times before, but through tourism and dialogue, we always find a common path forward,\" Burke reflected.
Read 10,000 Books, Travel 10,000 Miles 📚✈️
Quoting a Chinese proverb, Burke reminds us: \"We should read 10,000 books and travel 10,000 miles.\" Learning about other cultures isn't just about hitting the books—it's about experiencing them firsthand. \"Travel and tourism is the bridge that will help us move forward together,\" he said.
So pack your bags, amigos! Let's explore, connect, and build a brighter future together. 🧳❤️
Reference(s):
Humans 'hard-wired' to explore, says tourism industry leader
cgtn.com
